DIA vs. MSFT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, DIA returned 13.40%/yr vs 24.39%/yr for MSFT. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

DIA vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIA achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -18.85% return. Over the past 10 years, DIA has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 13.40%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.39% annualized return.

DIA

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 23.20%
• 3Y*: 16.29%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

MSFT

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -7.19%
• YTD: -18.85%
• 6M: -17.98%
• 1Y: -17.07%
• 3Y*: 6.16%
• 5Y*: 9.56%
• 10Y*: 24.39%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DIA vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	7.27%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	-7.02%	20.83%	9.59%	24.70%	-3.74%	28.08%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	-18.85%	15.58%	12.93%	58.19%	-28.02%	52.48%	42.53%	57.56%	20.80%	40.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DIA and MSFT is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 1998	0.59

Over the past year, the correlation between DIA and MSFT has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.59, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DIA vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 55
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

MSFT

MSFT Risk / Return Rank: 17
MSFT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
MSFT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MSFT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
MSFT Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
MSFT Martin Ratio Rank: 20

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DIA vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DIA	MSFT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	-0.70	+2.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	-0.84	+3.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.89	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	-0.53	+2.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.35	-1.08	+9.43

DIA vs. MSFT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIA Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the MSFT Sharpe Ratio of -0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIA and MSFT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DIA vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIA drawdown since its inception was -51.87%, smaller than the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIA and MSFT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIA	MSFT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.87%	-69.38%	+17.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.76%	-33.91%	+24.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-33.91%	+17.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.76%	-37.15%	+16.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-37.15%	+0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-27.46%	+26.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.14%	-21.78%	+14.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	16.48%	-13.95%

Volatility

DIA vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is 4.32%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.52%. This indicates that DIA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIA	MSFT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	10.52%	-6.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.78%	22.31%	-12.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.52%	25.42%	-12.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	26.66%	-11.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.56%	27.06%	-9.50%

Dividends

DIA vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison

DIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, more than MSFT's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.37%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%
MSFT Microsoft Corporation	0.91%	0.70%	0.73%	0.74%	1.06%	0.68%	0.94%	1.20%	1.69%	1.86%	2.37%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIA and MSFT in my portfolio?

DIA and MSFT have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIA or MSFT?

MSFT has higher volatility (10.52%) compared to DIA (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIA dropped -51.87% vs MSFT's -69.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs -0.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.